Micronized, Heat-Treated Lactobacillus plantarum LM1004 Alleviates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immune Suppression

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Probiotics

Background:

• Cyclophosphamide (CTX) induces significant immunosuppression, impacting immune cell function.
• Lactobacillus plantarum LM1004 is a probiotic with potential immunomodulatory effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immunomodulatory activity of heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum LM1004 (HT-LM1004) in a CTX-induced immunosuppression mouse model.
• To elucidate the mechanisms underlying HT-LM1004's effects on immune cells, particularly natural killer (NK) cells.

Main Methods:

• Assessed macrophage activity (phagocytosis, nitric oxide production) and cytokine release (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12p70) in vitro.
• Administered HT-LM1004 orally to CTX-treated mice and evaluated thymus and spleen indices.
• Measured cytokine levels and NK cell activity against YAC-1 lymphoma cells in vivo.
• Compared the effects of heat treatment alone versus heat treatment with micronization (membrane bioreactor) on NK cell cytotoxicity.

Main Results:

• HT-LM1004 stimulated phagocytic activity and nitric oxide production in macrophages, along with key pro-inflammatory cytokine release.
• Oral HT-LM1004 administration restored thymus and spleen indices in immunosuppressed mice.
• HT-LM1004 treatment increased serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-12p70 and enhanced NK cell activity.
• Micronized HT-LM1004 demonstrated superior NK cell cytotoxicity compared to heat treatment alone.

Conclusions:

• HT-LM1004 effectively reverses CTX-induced immunosuppression by enhancing NK cell function.
• Both heat treatment and micronization contribute to the immunomodulatory efficacy of L. plantarum LM1004.
• HT-LM1004 presents a promising, side-effect-free therapeutic strategy for immune restoration.